WO2005084916A1

WO2005084916A1 - Molding machine

Info

Publication number: WO2005084916A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/003977
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toshio Konishi
Original assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-03-09
Filing date: 2005-03-08
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: TWI255222B; CN1929983A; KR20070029143A; EP1724093A1; US7496427B2; JPWO2005084916A1; CN1929983B; WO2005084916A8; TW200540007A; US20070009627A1

Abstract

By using a known server program such as an FTP server program and an HTTP server program, internal data in a molding machine is acquired from an external terminal device such as a personal computer. The molding machine includes a controller (10) having a built-in HTTP server program (18) and memories (12 to 15) for storing internal data from the injection molding machine. By the HTTP server program, an arbitrary external device (30) is connected to the controller (10) via a communication line and the internal data is acquired from the molding machine and displayed on the external device (30). It is also possible to use the FTP server program instead of the HTTP server program.

Description

Specification

Molding machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a molding machine, and more particularly to a molding machine connected to a network and capable of communicating with an external device.

Background art

[0002] In a molding factory equipped with a molding machine, molding condition data required each time the mold of the molding machine is changed, actual value (mouthing) data used for determining the quality of molded products, waveforms, and the like. Internal data such as data is taken out of the injection molding machine and stored in an external storage device. Retrieving and managing data on such molding machines is an important factor in managing molding plants.

[0003] Further, if molding condition data relating to a molding machine for molding a certain molded product can be transferred to another molding machine for molding the same molded product, the work of setting molding conditions becomes easy. Conventionally, internal data of a molding machine, such as molding condition data, actual value data, and waveform data, has been taken out of the molding machine via a storage medium such as a disk recording medium or a memory card.

[0004] Storage media such as disk recording media and memory cards have a limited storage capacity, and large-capacity data cannot be recorded collectively. In addition, it takes a considerable amount of time to record the data on the storage medium when taking out the internal data of the molding machine to the outside.

[0005] Conventionally, when changing the operation program software incorporated in a molding machine, the operation program of the molding machine is recorded, and a ROM main body or a readable / writable silicon disk main body is replaced. The operation program was changed. Therefore, when changing the operation program of a molding machine at a remote location, a new program to be updated cannot be sent by communication means such as a network, and the storage medium on which the operation program is recorded must be sent to the remote location. Nana power. Therefore, it takes a long time to perform the maintenance of the molding machine, and the cost for the maintenance of the molding machine has increased.

[0006] When exchanging data between the molding machine and external equipment, RS232C, OPC, SPI Data manipulation by a communication program using standards and the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). However, in order to perform data communication between the molding machine and external equipment, the communication specifications must be determined, and for the external equipment to be connected, the communication for the molding machine that operates on the external equipment respectively. You have to write a program.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-113965

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to acquire internal data of an external terminal device such as a personal computer using a known server program such as an FTP server program or an HTTP server program.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of maintenance work on an operator by enabling various internal data stored in a molding machine to be confirmed from an external terminal device.

Means for solving the problem

According to the present invention, there is provided a control unit having a built-in specific server program and having a storage unit for storing internal data of a molding machine, and the specific server program connects an external terminal device to a communication line. A molding machine which is connected to the control unit via the control unit and transmits internal data stored in a storage unit of the control unit to the external terminal device.

[0010] The specific server program is preferably an HTTP server program or an FTP server program. Further, the internal data may be converted into HTML file data by the HTTP server program. If the control unit includes a molding machine operation program for controlling the operation, the molding machine operation program may convert the internal data into HTML file data!

The internal data may include at least one of molding condition data, actual value data, waveform data, molding machine state data, instruction manual data, and molding machine specification list data. ,. The handling, instruction data and molding machine specification list data are converted into fixed HTML file data by the HTTP server program, and the molding condition data and actual Performance data, waveform data and molding machine status data are

It may be converted to ML file data!

[0012] The internal data may be screen data displayed on a display unit.

[0013] The external terminal device may be an external computer, which may include an HTTp server program as a specific server program, and the external computer may be provided with a Web browser program. Alternatively, the external terminal device may be an external computer, a built-in _Ftp server program as a specific server program, and the external computer may be provided with an FTP external program.

[0014] Bidirectional communication may be performed between the external terminal device and the control unit, and the molding machine operation program may be transmitted to the external terminal device force control unit side to be updated.ヽ

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, by incorporating a server function into a molding machine such as an injection molding machine, communication between the molding machine and the server can be performed directly in the molding machine without using a network. . Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of data transmission without disconnecting the communication between the control unit of the molding machine and the server.

[0016] Other objects, advantages and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a view showing a connection between an injection molding machine as a molding machine to which the present invention is applied and an external device.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a controller that executes a control operation in the injection molding machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a top page displayed on a display of the external device when the internal data of the injection molding machine is referred to by the external device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of actual value data when internal data of an injection molding machine is referred to by an external device.

[Figure 5] Molding condition data when internal data of the injection molding machine is referenced by external equipment It is a figure showing the example of a display of.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen display example of a current injection molding machine when internal data of the injection molding machine is referred to by an external device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen display example of data for an instruction manual when internal data of an injection molding machine is referred to by an external device.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a controller that executes a control operation in an injection molding machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0018] 1 injection molding machine

2 Network

3 Personal computer

4 Controller

5 Server function section

6 Memory

10, 20 Controller

30 External devices

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, a connection relationship between a molding machine to which the present invention is applied and an external device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection between an injection molding machine 1 as a molding machine to which the present invention is applied and an external device 2.

[0020] The injection molding machine 1 to which the present invention is applied is connected to a personal computer 3 as an external device via a network 2 such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Conventionally, a server device is interposed between the personal computer 3 and the injection molding machine 1. However, the injection molding machine 1 to which the present invention is applied has a server function inside, and the server device is installed. No need to place.

Conventionally, the injection molding machine 1 has been managed by a server device. That is, data on the injection molding machine 1 is stored in the server device.For example, to obtain data on the injection molding machine 1 from an external device such as the personal computer 3, the server device It was configured to access and obtain desired data. In this case, data such as molding conditions obtained by the injection molding machine 1 must be transmitted to the server device.

. For example, if a failure occurs in the communication between the server device and the injection molding machine 1, the data of the injection molding machine 1 cannot be transmitted to the server device, and the power of the external equipment such as the personal computer 3 or the like can be reduced. Data cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a server function unit 5 and a storage unit 6 are provided in the controller 4 of the injection molding machine 1 so that the injection molding machine 1 itself has a server function. are doing. This eliminates the need for a single server device on the network 2 between the injection molding machine 1 and the personal computer 3, and eliminates the need for communication between the injection molding machine 1 and the server device via the network 2. . That is, data is stored in the storage unit 6 of the injection molding machine 1, and the stored data is managed by the server function unit 5. Then, the personal computer 3 can directly access the server function unit 5 of the injection molding machine 1 and retrieve data from the storage unit 6.

Since the server function unit 5 and the storage unit 6 exchange data by data transfer in the controller 4, it is not necessary to establish a communication channel each time unlike communication through a network or the like. Therefore, the reliability of data transfer in the control unit 4 of the injection molding machine 1 can prevent data loss due to communication failure which is much higher than the reliability of communication via the server PC.

Next, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an injection molding machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a controller that executes a control operation in an injection molding machine.

In FIG. 1, the controller 10 (corresponding to the controller 4 shown in FIG. 1) has a molding machine program memory 11 in which a molding machine operation program is stored. The controller 10 includes, in addition to the molding machine program memory 11, molding machine state data HTML file memory 12, waveform data HTML file memory 13, actual value (gating) data HTML file memory 14, as internal data memory. Molding condition data HTML file memory 15 is provided. That is, in the present embodiment, as the internal data of the injection molding machine, molding machine state data, waveform data, actual value (mouthing) data, and molding condition data are assumed. In addition to these, it explains how to handle the injection molding machine. Instruction manual data for specification and specification list data showing the specifications of each part of the injection molding machine are stored in the fixed HTML file memory 16. The above memories may be implemented with one storage device without having to configure each with a separate storage device.

The controller 10 executes a control operation based on a molding machine operation program read from the molding machine program memory 11. During execution of the control operation, the controller 10 performs monitoring for each shot using a plurality of detection signals obtained by a plurality of sensor forces provided in each part of the control target part of the injection molding machine. Also in the present embodiment, the monitoring target is not limited to the detection signal obtained from the sensor, but is calculated by calculating the value to be monitored by the controller each time, and is indicated by the calculated value and the detection signal. Treated as the actual value together with the detected value.

The controller 10 includes an input / output unit 17 for a network interface to communicate with an external device (external terminal device) 30 such as a personal computer via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark). And an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server program 18. The HTTP server program 18 accesses each HTML file memory and the fixed HTML file memory 16 in the internal data memory, reads the data stored in the fixed HTML file memory 16, and changes the data. The HTTP server program 18 functions as the server function unit 5 in FIG.

Next, the function of the controller 10 and each part inside the controller 10 will be described.

[0029] 1. The controller 10 simultaneously executes the molding machine operation program and the HTTP server program.

[0030] 2. The molding machine operation program includes a molding machine state data file, a waveform data file, and an actual value (mouthing) data file in which the molding machine internal data is described in an HTML format along with the execution of the control operation. Automatically create screen connection data such as molding condition data files and save the created screen connection data in the corresponding HTML file memory 12-15. The automatic creation of each of the above data files may be performed by the HTTP server program 18. Alternatively, an HTML file creation program that only creates an HTML file may be provided to create the files! /, .

[0031] 3. The external device 30 is connected to the controller 10 via the input / output unit 17 for the network interface. Connection is possible.

[0032] 4. The external device 30 uses a program capable of Web browsing (for example, IE in Windows (registered trademark)) based on the HTTP communication specification, and an HTML file memory at a predetermined address inside the controller 10. 12-15 can be referred to.

[0033] 5. The external device 30 is also provided with a fixed HTML file in which data for instruction manuals, data on a list of specifications of the molding machine, etc., which can be referred to simply by referring to the HTML file automatically created by the molding machine operation program, are described. References can also be made. These data for instruction manuals, specification list data for molding machines, etc. are fixed data created at the shipping stage.

[0034] 6. The HTTP server program 18 refers to the HTML file on the file hierarchy in the memory storage area, thereby forming the molding condition data HTML file, the waveform data HTML file, and the like in the memory storage area. Actual value (mouthing) data HTML files can be sent.

As described above, the HTTP communication specification is also common, and the communication client program can be easily obtained in an external device such as a computer equipped with an operating system such as Windows (registered trademark). This is a possible program and can save you the trouble of creating a program.

[0036] The HTTP communication specification also has a very high level of security, and it is possible to protect the memory inside the controller by illegal access and the like. By communicating according to the HTTP specification, large amounts of data can be exchanged in a file format without loss. By setting a unique IP address for each injection molding machine and forming a communication network between the injection molding machines, external devices can communicate with multiple injection molding machines at the same time. The internal data of the injection molding machine can be centrally managed. Further, by performing communication using a network interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark), internal data of a remote injection molding machine can be referred to.

Next, a display example in the case where the memory of the controller 10 is accessed from the external device 30 to display the internal data on the display of the external device 30 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of the top page of the Web browser program on the display of the external device 30. The top page shows the specifications and actual Instructions corresponding to the mouth forming data corresponding to the performance data, molding conditions (operating conditions) corresponding to the molding condition data, current molding machine screen display corresponding to the molding machine status data, waveform data, and instruction manual data Items of history data, such as a certificate, setting history, and abnormal history, are displayed. By selecting one of these items with the click and touch panel with the mouse, the selected data is read from the memory in the controller 10, transmitted to the external device 30, and switched and displayed on the display.

[0039] Although the specification list data of the molding machine is not shown, for example, it relates to a method for various items such as a mold clamping method in a mold clamping device, a maximum clamping force, a mold opening / closing stroke, an ejector method, and an ejector stroke. Data such as types and numerical values are shown. As for the plasticizing device, numerical data are shown for various items such as screw diameter, maximum injection pressure, maximum holding pressure, injection mass, and screw stroke. Of course, the specification list data is not only data on mold clamping devices and plasticizing devices.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of the actual value data. In the actual value data, data such as the date and time of the shot associated with the molding operation, the shot number, the cycle time, the filling time, etc. are displayed over a plurality of items. In addition, in the display screens described below including FIG. 3, in addition to the described data, menus such as a task bar, a toolbar, and an address bar are provided in the case of a display screen using Windows (registered trademark). Displayed force Illustration is omitted. Also, a scroll bar or the like is displayed horizontally or vertically below or horizontally on the display screen.

The data relating to the display contents shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the actual value (mouthing) data HTML file memory 14 as an actual value (mouthing) data HTML file.

FIG. 5 shows a display example of molding condition data. In the uppermost column, molding condition name, mold name, resin name, product name, etc. are displayed in the column of molding condition 1, and in the lower column of temperature, the temperature setting value of each part of the heated cylinder is displayed. Are displayed. Further, in the plasticization column at the bottom, various setting values relating to the injection, for example, the cushion position, the filling time, the cycle time, and the like are displayed. The display in Fig. 4 is only a part of the molding condition data, and the desired molding condition can be seen by the scroll function.

The data related to the contents shown in FIG. 5 is a molding condition data HTML file, Molding condition data is stored in the HTML file memory 15.

FIG. 6 shows a screen display example of a current injection molding machine. On this display screen, there are screen selection menu bars for setup, mold opening and closing, plasticization, temperature, list setting, waveform display, quality control, production control, and by selecting one of these, You can switch to the corresponding display screen. In FIG. 6, numerical data such as a pre-filling position, a VZP switching position, and a welding position are displayed as a plasticization screen.

The data related to the contents shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the molding machine state data HTML file memory 12 as a molding machine state data HTML file. Molding machine status HTML file shows the setting values for various mechanisms of the molding machine and the detection values detected by the detectors provided in the molding machine

Fig. 7 shows an example of a screen display of data for the instruction manual. Here, the table of contents of the instruction manual, for example, Chapter 1, Overview, Chapter 2, Preparation for Operation, Chapter 3, Condition Setting, etc. is displayed. By selecting one of these, the contents of that chapter are displayed. Is displayed for each page. Page turning is realized by a scroll function. Furthermore, since the table of contents screen shown in FIG. 7 is an HRML file, the display screen can be switched to a previously linked screen by clicking an arbitrary part. For example, by clicking “Chapter 2 Operation preparation”, you can switch from the table of contents screen to the operation preparation screen. As described above, even in the case of an instruction manual that is usually delivered from an injection molding machine maker as a printed matter made of paper, the amount of paper used can be reduced by storing the instruction manual in the memory of the injection molding machine. Further, the printer is usually placed in a control room where the personal computer 3 is located at the molding site. Therefore, the data of the injection molding machine can be printed out using the personal computer 3 near the printer, and the convenience at the molding site can be improved.

Note that the data related to the contents shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is stored in the fixed HTML file memory 16 as a fixed HTML file.

Next, a procedure for acquiring injection molding machine power data according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the operator inputs the address of the injection molding machine from the external device 30 which is a management device, in order to specify the force of acquiring data of the injection molding machine, and inputs the address of the injection molding machine. Log in to controller 10. In order to improve the security of access to the controller 10, a configuration may be such that a password, an ID, and the like need to be input when logging in.

When logging in to controller 10, the top page shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen of external device 30. When the operator selects an item for which the user wants to confirm the strength of each item displayed on the top page, the screen connection data at the time of access stored in the selected HTML file memory is transmitted to the external device 30, and the content is displayed. Is displayed on the external device 30. The transmitted data includes not only real-time screen connection data such as plasticization screens and mold opening / closing screens, but also molding condition data, instruction manual data, specification list data indicating the specifications of each part of the injection molding machine, etc. You may go out. Here, the specification list data also includes customization data indicating how the specifications of the injection molding machine were adapted for each individual molding factory. Further, work procedure data indicating a method of coping with a failure may be stored. Therefore, based on the screen information, the operator can quickly check the internal data of the injection molding machine. Furthermore, since each injection molding machine has a built-in server program, the same injection molding machine can be simultaneously accessed from a plurality of personal computers 3. Therefore, convenience at the molding site can be significantly improved.

Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an injection molding machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a controller that executes a control operation in the injection molding machine. The controller 20 has a molding machine program memory 21 storing a molding machine operation program. The controller 20 includes a molding machine state data memory 22, a waveform data memory 23, an actual value (mouthing) data memory 24, and a molding condition data memory 25 as internal data memories in addition to the molding machine program memory 21. That is, in the present embodiment, as the internal data of the injection molding machine, molding machine state data, waveform data, actual value (mouthing) data, and molding condition data are assumed. As the internal data, in addition to these data, instruction manual data for explaining how to handle the injection molding machine, specification list data indicating the specifications of each part of the injection molding machine, and the like are stored. The memory for illustration is omitted. The memories described above may be realized by one storage device without having to be configured by separate storage devices. The controller 20 executes a control operation based on the molding machine operation program read from the molding machine program memory 21. During execution of the control operation, the controller 20 performs monitoring and control for each shot using a plurality of detection signals obtained by a plurality of sensor forces provided in each part of the control target section of the injection molding machine. It should be noted that the object to be monitored in the injection molding machine is not limited to the detection signal from which the sensor can also be obtained. That is, in an injection molding machine, a value to be monitored by the controller may be calculated each time, and the calculated value may be monitored. In the present invention, the value calculated in this way and the detection value indicated by the detection signal are collectively referred to as an actual value.

The controller 20 also has an input / output unit for a network interface to communicate with an external device (external terminal device) 30 such as a personal computer via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark). 26, and an FTP (File Transmission Protocol) server program ₂₇ . The external device 30 is equipped with an FTP client program. The FTP server program 27 accesses the internal data memory 21-25 to read or rewrite the internal data.

Hereinafter, the function of the controller 20 and each unit inside the controller 20 will be described.

1. The controller 20 executes the molding machine operation program and the FTP server program at the same time.

[0055] 2. The molding machine operation program creates the actual value (mouthing) data, molding condition data, waveform data, molding machine state data, etc., associated with the execution of the control operation, and saves them in the internal data memory. I do.

3. The external device 30 can be connected to the controller 20 via the input / output unit 26 for the network interface.

4. The external device 30 requests the FTP server program to permit communication according to the FTP communication specifications.

[0058] 5. The FTP server program 27 requests the external device 30 to input an account name and a password, thereby providing security so that nobody can refer to the internal data.

[0059] 6. After verifying the password, the FTP server program 27 permits communication of the external device 30. Thus, the external device 30 can refer to the internal data of the injection molding machine.

[0060] 7. The external device 30 can change the data simply by referring to the internal data of the injection molding machine. For example, the data for instruction manuals, the list of molding machine specifications, etc. are fixed data created at the time of shipment, but the contents may be changed.In such a case, the contents are changed or updated from the external device 30. Can also be performed. This is the same for the molding machine operation program.

8. The FTP server program 27 can also limit the contents of the internal data of the injection molding machine that can be referred to depending on the account name and the password.

[0062] As described above, the communication specification of FTP is general, and the communication client program can be easily used in an external device such as a computer equipped with an operating system such as Windows (registered trademark). It is an available program and can save you the trouble of creating a program.

[0063] Further, the FTP communication specification has a very high level of security, and it is possible to protect the memory inside the controller from illegal access.

By performing communication conforming to the FTP specification, a large amount of data can be exchanged in a file format without loss.

[0065] By setting a unique IP address for each injection molding machine and forming a communication network between the injection molding machines, an external device can simultaneously communicate with a plurality of injection molding machines. In addition, the internal data of each injection molding machine can be centrally managed.

Next, a procedure for acquiring data from the injection molding machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, the operator inputs the address of the injection molding machine from the external device 30 which is a management device to specify the power of acquiring the data of the injection molding machine, and the controller 20 of the injection molding machine. Login to In order to improve the security of access to the controller 20, it may be necessary to input a password or ID when logging in. When the user logs in to the controller 20, the user browses a list of files in the directory, selects a file to be changed or confirms its contents, and performs transmission processing to the external device 30. The operator opens the transmitted file on the screen of the external device 30 and checks the content. Sent sent In the file, molding condition data and mouth-ging data are recorded, and when it is necessary to change each data, the change is performed by the external device 30. Thereafter, the file is sent back from the external device 30 to the location where the original file is stored in the controller 20 of the injection molding machine.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, in a molding machine such as an injection molding machine, an FTP server program or an HTTP server program is installed, and a personal computer or the like is connected via a network interface. The following effects can be obtained by acquiring and changing the internal data of the molding machine with external equipment.

(1) The management of the molding conditions of the molding machine can be easily performed by an external device.

(2) Waveform data of a molding machine can be referred to by an external device.

(3) The external device can refer to the actual value (mouthing) data of the molding machine.

(4) By referring to the molding machine state data of the molding machine, the external device can diagnose the molding machine.

Further, the following effects can be obtained for the FTP server program.

(5) An external device can change a molding machine operation program of the molding machine.

(6) The internal data of the molding machine can be acquired at high speed by the external device, and the internal data can be transferred from the external device to the molding machine.

(7) Since the server program is incorporated in each injection molding machine, a plurality of personal computers 3 can access the same injection molding machine at the same time.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an injection molding machine, but the present invention is not limited to an injection molding machine, but may be another molding machine, for example, a molding machine such as an extrusion molding machine. It is also applicable to

[0078] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements may be made within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A control unit having a built-in specific server program and having a storage unit for storing internal data of the molding machine is provided. The specific server program connects an external terminal device to the control unit via a communication line. A molding machine that connects to the external terminal device and connects the internal data stored in the storage unit of the control unit to the external terminal device.

[2] The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the specific server program is an HTTP server program or an FTP server program.

3. The molding machine according to claim 2, wherein the internal data is converted into HTML file data by the HTTP server program.

[4] The control unit further includes a molding machine operation program for controlling an operation, and converts the internal data into HTML file data by the molding machine operation program. Molding machine.

[5] The internal data includes at least one of molding condition data, actual value data, waveform data, molding machine state data, instruction manual data, and molding machine specification list data. The molding machine according to claim 1.

[6] The handling !, instruction data and specification list data of the molding machine are converted into the fixed HTML file data by the HTTP server program, and the molding condition data, the actual value data, and the waveform are converted. The molding machine according to claim 5, wherein the data and the molding machine state data are converted into the HTML file data by the molding machine operation program.

[7] The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the internal data is screen data displayed on a display unit.

[8] The external terminal device is an external computer, and incorporates an HTTP server program or an FTP server program as the specific server program. The external computer is provided with a Web browser program or an FTP external program. The molding machine according to claim 1, wherein:

[9] The molding machine according to claim 8, wherein two-way communication is possible between the external terminal device and the control unit. 10. The molding machine according to claim 9, wherein the molding machine operation program is transmitted from the external terminal device to the control unit to update the molding machine operation program.